Adjustable hernia truss



atet

Martin R. Ward 221 La Esperal, Orinda, 94563;

Walter W. Brown, 1249 Belleau St., San Leandro, 94579; Robert R. Moore, 9023 E. 14th St. Oakland, California 94603 Appl. No. 741,990

Filed July 2, 1968 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 lnventors ADJUSTABLE HERNIA TRUSS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,568,815 9/1951 Marrier 128/117 3,021,838 2/1962 Fine 128/96 Primary Examiner-Adele W. Eager A ttorney Gardner and Zimmerman ABSTRACT: A truss for supporting reducible hernias and the like comprising a pad assembly for engagement with such hernia, and a band to which the pad assembly is secured for supporting the same in engagement with the hernia of a patient. The pad assembly includes a pad having a generally ellipsoidal or ovate configuration, and the pad is angularly adjustable so that an orientation therefor can be selected which will best meet the support requirements of any hernia to be engaged thereby. The pad assembly is also axially adjustable inwardly and outwardly relative to the band without changing or otherwise disturbing the angular adjustment of the pad so as to permit the force exerted thereby against the hernia to be selectively varied.

Patented Oct. 6, 1970 3,532,090

. INVENTOR. MARTIN R. WARD WALTER w. BROWN ROBERT R, MOORE BY m ADJUSTABLE HERNIA TRUSS DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a hernia truss and, more particularly, to an orientation'adjustable and force-adjustable truss for supporting reducible hernias and the like.

Many different types of trusses are currently in use for supporting hernias, but for the most part such trusses are not conveniently and easily adjustable to permit tailoring thereof to meet the specialized support requirements of different individuals, or they do not readily maintain any particular adjustments or support characteristics imparted thereto. In this respect, the amount of supporting force to be applied to a hernia by the pad engaging the same is determined by the characteristics of the particular hernia and by the requirements of the person suffering therewith; and further, since the shapes and dispositions of hernias vary considerably, better support therefor with greater comfort to the patient is provided when the general shape and orientation of the pad is tailored or related to the particular requirements of the hernia with which it is to be used.

In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved truss for supporting reducible hernias and the like, and which improved truss is quickly and easily adjusted to change the magnitude of the force applied by the hernia-engaging pad assembly thereof to the hernia supported thereby, and is also quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate the particular orientation or disposition of any hernia with which it is used. Another object of the invention is in the provision of a truss of the character described which comprises a trunk-encircling band or belt and a pad assembly carried thereby that includes a non-symmetrical pad, ovate or ellipsoidal for example, the angular disposition of which can be adjusted by a technician to best accommodate the orientation requirements of any particular hernia, and the axial position of which can be adjusted by the patient, without disturbing the technicianadjusted angular orientation of the pad, so as. to change the magnitude of the supporting force applied thereby to the hernia. Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become apparent as the specification develops.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view ofa truss embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a broken axial sectional view, partly in elevation, of the pad assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation with part of the pad broken away showing the pad assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, axial sectional view, partly in elevation, similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing a modified truss; and

FIG. 5 is a front view in elevation similar to that of FIG. 3, but illustrating the modified truss shown in FIG. 4.

The truss l0 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a band or belt 11 adapted to encircle the trunk of a patient. The band may be conventional and, in this respect, is usually relatively firm or rigid and may be formed of a metal such as spring steel. The band 11 is ordinarily covered at least in part (as shown at 12) by a fabric, leather or plastic material so as to prevent as a matter of comfort the stiff band from directly contacting the patient. Secured to the band 11 by a post 13 is a pad assembly 14; and for purposes of providing limited bodily displacements of the pad assembly 14 along the band 11, the band is formed with an elongated, longitudinally extending slot 15 therealong through which the post 13 extends and within which it is selectively movable.

As concerns such longitudinal displacements of the post 13, as shown in FIG. 2 the post is in the form of an axially extending bolt externally threaded along the shank 16 thereof. The enlarged head of the post or bolt 13 bears against one side of the band 11 and is sufficiently wide so that it cannot be displaced through the slot 15. Along the opposite side of the band 11, the shank 16 of the post receives a thin nut 17 that bears against the band 11 through a lock washer l8. Evidently, when the nut 17 is tightened, the post 13 is clamped to the band 11 and cannot be moved longitudinally relative thereto. However, when the nut 17 is loosened, the post 13 and pad assembly 14 carried thereby are movable longitudinally within the limits established by the slot 15.

The pad assembly 14 includes a pad 19 that is relatively firm although it may be formed of a somewhat compressible material such as a firm rubber. As respects the present invention, any conventional material now in use for forming truss pads may be employed. As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pad 19 has a generally elliptical configuration in front elevation, and since being a geometric solid is of generally ovate or ellipsoidal form. Such non-symmetrical configuration is of use in orienting the pad to accommodate the particular disposition of any hernia with which it is used, and in this respect the pad is angularly adjustable relative to the axis of the post 13.

In this reference, the pad 19 is secured to a backing or mounting plate 20 which is also of generally elliptical configuration but somewhat smaller than the pad 19. Any suitable means may be employed to attach the pad 19 to the backing plate 20, such as by screws that respectively extend through openings 21 in the backing plate and threadedly engage the interior of the pad 19. Welded or otherwise rigidly affixed to the backing plate 20 is a support member 22 which is bifurcated to define a slot 23 between the spaced legs thereof. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the pad 19 has a central bore or opening 24 into which the post 13 projects, and it also has a recess 25 radiating outwardly from such bore 24 and within which the support 22 seats.

The shank 16 of the post 13 is generally cylindrical but is provided along diametrically spacedlocations with flattened surfaces 26 and 27 respectively disposed in facing relation with the spaced legs of the support 22 and along which such legs are freely movable. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the cooperative disposition of the spaced. legs of the support 22 and flattened surfaces 26 and 27 of the post 13 constrains the support 22, together with the backing plate 20 and pad 19, against angular displacements with respect to the post but does not constrain the support against axial displacements relative to the post.

Mounting structure is provided for securing the pad as sembly to the post 13, and such mounting structure comprises a nut 28 threadedly received upon the shank 16 of the post and movable axially therealong. Thenut 28 in the form shown constitutes a collar 29 provided internally with threads which matingly engage the externally threaded shank 16 of the post, and it further constitutes an outwardly projecting flange 30 which may be knurled to facilitate manual manipulation thereof. At the end thereof adjacent the pad 19, the collar 29 has a laterally extending abutment or flange 31 spaced from the flange 30. The backing plate 20 is provided centrally with an opening 32 that passes the collar 29 therethrough, and sufficient clearance is afforded so that the collar is freely rotatable with respect to the backing plate. If desired, washers (as shown in FIG. 2) may be provided along each side of the backing plate 20 so as to separate the same from the flanges 30 and 31.

In use of the truss 10, it is fitted by a doctor or technician so as to position the pad assembly longitudinally with respect to the band 11 to align the pad assembly with the hernia, and it is also angularly adjusted to dispose the ovate pad 19 in the most advantageous orientation for the characteristics of the hernia to be supported thereby. It will be appreciated that to accomplish both of these adjustments, it is only necessary to loosen the nut 17 whereupon the post 13 can be displaced longitudinally along the band 11 and the pad 19 can be rotated to the angular position desired because the post. 13 is freely rotatable within the slot 15. After such adjustments have been made, the nut 17 is tightened into frictional engagement with the band 11 to clamp the post 13 to the band, thereby constraining the post and pad assembly 14 against both further angular displacements relative to the axis of the post 13 and further longitudinal displacements along the band 11.

The patient, however, is free to adjust the pad 19 axially inwardly and outwardly, selectively, along the post 13 to vary the force with which the'pad presses against his hernia by simply rotating the nut 28 by gripping and turning the knurled flange 30 thereof. It will be evident that rotation of the nut 28 in one direction will move the pad outwardly along the truss, thereby increasing the force of the pad against the hernia; and rotation of the nut in the opposite direction moves the pad to reduce the force it applied against the hernia. It should further be noted that such inward and outward or axial displacements of the pad are accomplished without accompanying angular displacements of the pad so that the initial fitting of the truss performed by the doctor is not disturbed.

A modified truss 50 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and it may be observed that it provides and same longitudinal, angular and axial adjustments as the truss l heretofore described, the difference in the two embodiments of the invention residing in the structural composition by which such adjustments are accommodated. The modified truss 50 includes a band 41, and a pad assembly 52 is secured thereto by a post 53 in the form of a bolt. The threaded shank of the post or bolt 53 is provided at one end with an enlarged head and at its opposite end it is equipped with a serrated blade 54 that is clamped against one side of the band 51 by a plate 55 engaging the opposite side thereof, and which plates are drawn together by a plurality of screw fasteners 56.

The pad assembly 52 is provided with a pad 57 secured to a backing plate 58 and, as in the case of the pad 19 heretofore described, the pad 57 is generally ellipsoidal or ovate. The backing plate 58 has a central opening that passes an externally threaded collar 59 therethrough having a laterally extending flange 60 serrated along its inner face and having along its outer face a pair of axially extending pins 61 and 63 that are diametrically disposed and slidably pass through generally hemispherical recesses provided therefor in the head of the post 53, as shown in FIG. 5. The collar 59 has a central opening therethrough that receives the shank of the post 53 and is freely movable axially therealong.

Mounted upon the externally threaded collar 59 in mating engagement therewith is a lock nut 63 that can be tightened against the plate 58 so as to press the same into tight frictional engagement with the roughened face of the flange 60, and if desired, the contiguous surface of the plate 58 may similarly be roughened so as to augment the frictional engagement defined between the plate and flange. At diametrically spaced locations, the lock nut 63 is turned laterally upon itself (as shown at 64 and 65) so as to define confined spaces that receive therein the outwardly extending flange 66 of a nut 67 threadedly mounted upon the shank of the post 53.

In use of the modified truss, it is fitted by the doctor by loosening the fasteners 55 and 56 to enable the pad assembly 52 and post 53 to be displaced longitudinally along the band 51 to the desired location, whereupon the fasteners 55 and 56 are tightened to fixedly relate the post and pad assembly to the band. In order to adjust the pad 57 angularly relative to the axis of the post 53, the lock nut 63 is loosened (it may be necessary to loosen the nut 67 therewith depending upon the clearance in any particular structure), whereupon the pad 57 and plate 58 to which it is attached can be angularly displaced with respect to the collar 59 and post 53. After the desired angular adjustment is attained, the lock nut 63 is tightened to constrain the pad 57 in such position of angular adjustment.

The patient is free to adjust the force applied by the pad 57 to his hernia by rotating the nut 67 to move the pad 57 inwardly or outwardly, selectively, along the post 53. It will be evident that any such axial displacements of the pad are not accompanied by angular displacements thereof because the cooperative engagement of the pins 61 and 62 with the arcu ate recesses therefo. in the head of the post 53 prevents the flange 60 and collar 59 from rotating relative to the post while permitting free axial displacements therealong.

While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention have been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of completely disclosing the same, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a truss for supporting reducible hernias and the like, an axially extending post attachable to a body encircling band, a pad assembly, a mounting structure adjustably mounting said pad assembly upon said post, said pad assembly including a hernia-engaging pad, said pad assembly being angularly displaceable with respect to the axis of said post and also being non-symmetrical relative to such axis so as to permit selective change of the orientation of said pad with reference to the requirements of a patient, said mounting structure releasably locking said pad assembly in selected positions of angular displacement, and said mounting structure having means cooperating with said post and with said pad assembly for axial displacement of said pad assembly relative to the axis of said post to selectively vary the force exerted by said pad against such hernia.

2. The truss of claim 1 in which said post is threaded, in which said mounting structure includes a nut mounted upon said post for axial displacements with respect thereto, and further including adjustment structure providing such angular displacements of said pad for changing the orientation thereof and being connected with said mounting structure so that any such angular adjustment of said pad is not disturbed by axial displacements thereof along said post.

3. The truss of claim 2 in which said adjustment structure includes a support for said pad freely movable axially with respect to said post and being constrained against rotation relative thereto, said mounting structure being connected with said support so as to displace the same axially along said post without imparting angular displacements to the support.

4. The truss of claim 3 in which said threaded post is generally cylindrical but is provided with a pair of diametrally disposed flattened surfaces extending therealong and said support slidably engages said flattened portions, said nut having a cylindrical portion rotatably engaging said support so as to enforce the aforesaid axial displacements thereon without imparting angular displacements thereto.

5. The truss of claim 3 in which said adjustment structure includes an externally threaded collar freely movable axially along said post but being constrained against angular displacements with respect thereto, a backing plate secured to said pad and being supported by said collar for angular displacements relative thereto, a lock nut threadedly engaging said collar for locking said backing plate in any position of angular adjustment thereof, and said mounting structure nut being connected with said lock nut so as to be freely rotatable with respect thereto while enforcing axial displacements thereon.

6. The truss of claim 1 and further comprising a band adapted to be secured to a patient to maintain said pad in supporting engagement with a hernia, and said post being attached to said band to positively relate said pad assembly thereto.

7. The truss of claim 6 in which said post is threaded, in which said mounting structure includes a nut mounted upon said post for axial displacements with respect thereto, and further including adjustment structure providing such angular displacements of said pad for changing the orientation thereof and being connected with said mounting structure so that any such angular adjustment of said pad is not disturbed by axial displacements thereof along said post.

8. The truss of claim 7 in which said adjustment structure includes a support for said pad freely movable axially with respect to said post and being constrained against rotation relative thereto, said mounting structure being connected with said support so as to displace the same axially along said post without imparting angular displacements to the support.

9. The truss of claim 8 in which said threaded post is generally cylindrical but is provided with a pair of diametrally ments with respect thereto, a backing plate secured to said pad and being supported by said collar for angular displacements relative thereto, a lock nut threadedly engaging said collar for locking said backing plate in any position of angular adjustment thereof, and said mounting structure nut being connected with said lock nut so as to be freely rotatable with respect thereto while enforcing axial displacements thereon. 

